Folding bed adapted when folded to constitute a seat with back



Allg. 4, 1959 A, 'DUCRQTi 2,897,517

FOLDING BED ADAPTED WHEN FOLDED TO CONSTITUTE A SEAT WITH BACK Filed NOV. l2, 1957 `2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug.` 4, 1959 A. DUCROT FOLDING BED ADAPTED WHENY FOLDED TO CONSTITUTE A SEAT WITH BACK 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. l2, 1957 limited States FOIJDING BED ADAPIED WHEN FOLDED T CONSTITUTE A SEAT WITH BACK The present invention relates to folding apparatus and more particularly to collapsible beds adapted to be converted at will into a seat, of the type comprising a metal hinged frame. The folding apparatus according to this invention is designed with a view to conceal the folding mechanism when the apparatus is folded to its seat condition and to facilitate the folding and unfolding of the apparatus while preserving other important features such as the provision of a self-contained metal hinged frame adapted to be unfolded and folded relative to a supporting member by effecting synchronous and balanced kinematic movements.

According to this invention and more specifically to a preferred embodiment thereof, the metal hinged frame for converting the seat into a bed and vice-versa, comprises essentially a frame element consisting of three pairs of parallel longitudinal members of angle-iron section, hingedly interconnected in succession to one another, and of two extreme angle-iron cross bars dening the width of the frame and therefore of the spring mattress supported by this frame.

Each end of the longitudinal end members of the frame element on the side of the back or the head of the bed has pivoted thereon a tting of inverted L configuration having secured on its inwardly-directed arm the back or head element of the seat or bed, respectively.

The element constituting the seat or the foot of the bed is secured on other fittings carried by the ends of the other longitudinal end members of the hinged frame.

Two pairs of legs are pivoted on the two pairs of successive longitudinal members constituting the intermediate members and the end members on the side of the head of the bed, these legs being in constant engagement with the floor. The various frame elements are interconnected by hinged links so arranged and of such dimensions that they permit the synchronous movements of the assembly; the stable end positions are the seat-forming closed position and the bed-forming open position.

On the end element of the frame lying on the head or back side of the structure there is provided another link and leg system bearing on the fixed legs of this element and on the longitudinal members; this system is arranged to receive a chest adapted, when the apparatus is folded, to lie against the frame element constituting the back and the head of the bed, and, when the apparatus is unfolded, to extend for on the one hand clearing the spring mattress to permit its elastic movements, and on the other hand not interfering with the angular movement of the back and head of the bed; in the open position the legs of this system engage the floor to assist the other legs in supporting the bed.

This chest comprises for example an ornamental panel of suitable material which has at the most the dimensions of the end element of the frame on the side of the back and head of the bed, another panel extending at right angles to, and secured on the top of the preceding panel, this other panel joining the back and another pair of lateral panels disposed approximately at right angles to arent ice 2 the other panels to constitute an ornamental setting of the back portion and conceal the interior of the apparatus.

The pair of fixed legs of the frame element on the back side is braced at a level as low as possible in order to constitute the stationary supporting element about which the folding and unfolding movements of the mechanism take place and are balanced, the bracing assisting in rigidly maintaining the elements without interfering with the resiliency of the spring mattress. p

The legs of the other pair are also braced at their lower end and provided with angular extensions similarly braced and extending towards the foot element of the folding bed so as to engage the floor in the open position of the apparatus and thus reduce the overhang.

One portion of the pleated skirt or like upholstery elea ment concealing the frame structure at the foot of the bed is secured on the angular extension of the bed foot element which is aligned with the mattress elements in the unfolded or bed position of the apparatus; thus, the skirt or upholstery will not trail along on the floor since it is suspended from a line of approximately constant height during the folding and unfolding of the apparatus.

This self-contained frame structure is self-operating and supported by its legs, without requiring the use of any other external members; its component elements are interconnected by a link system hinged on this frame structure and on the two pairs of legs so as to permit the folding and unfolding movements about the supporting element in a very smooth, effortless and balanced manner; the chest concealing the interior of the apparatus is easily unfolded with the element forming the head 0f the bed, without interfering with the bedding and the angular movement of the element constituting the back and head of the bed.

Other features and advantages of this invention will appear as the following description proceeds with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof illustrated diagrammatically by way of example in the attached drawings forming part of this specification. In the drawings:

Figure l is an elevational and sectional view of the apparatus in its seat-forming position, the lateral setting and upholstery being removed;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Fig. l but showing the apparatus during its folding or unfolding movement;

Figure 3 is a view corresponding to Figs. 1 and 2 which shows the apparatus in its bed-forming position, and

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the apparatus in its seat-forming position, complete with upholstery and panels.

This apparatus consists essentially of a metal hinged frame structure comprising essentially an angle-iron frame made of three pairs of successive longitudinal members 1, 2, 3 hingedly interconnected by pivot pins 50, 51 and provided with transverse end angle-irons 52, 53 determining the width of the assembly. This frame structure may be provided according to the known manner with metal straps to either constitute or support a spring mattress according to any known construction.

The outer ends of the longitudinal members 3 have pivoted at 54 fittings 4 of inverted-L configuration having secured on their inwardly-directed arms 55 the element S6 constituting the back of the seat when the apparatus is folded, or the head of the bed when the apparatus is unfolded.

The longitudinal members 1 at the foot of the bed or seat-forming portion are rigid with inward-directed arms 57 extending at right-angles to these longitudinal members and having secured thereon the element 43 constituting the seat proper or the foot of the bed.

The pair of legs 20 braced at their lower ends by the cross bar 25 are pivoted by pivot pins S on the longitudinal members 3; this pair of legs constitutes the supporting element of the assembly which remains stationary and assists in improving the rigidity of the apparatus.

The other pair of legs 19 braced at the lower end by a cross bar 26 are pivoted on the longitudinal members 2 by pivot pins 6; a link assembly 11, 12 interconnects these two pairs of legs, and another pair of links 9 connect the assembly 11, 12 to the longitudinal beams 1; on the other hand, a link system 14 pivoted at 58 on the longitudinal members 3 connects them to the L shaped fittings 4.

The lower ends of the pair of xed legs 20 have pivotally attached thereto another link system 59, 60 pivoted on the other hand on the pin 61 of longitudinal members 3, the link system 60 being pivotally interconnected with a pair of complementary legs 62.

The link assemblies 9, 11, 12, 14 and the complementary link systems 59, 60 are so disposed as to assemble the frame, back and seat elements with one another, as well as with the complementary legs 62, and also to synchronize the unfolding and folding movements of the assembly about the pair of fixed legs 20. I

These synchronous movements of the aforesaid elements are obtained by simply pulling or pushing the head or foot of the bed, these elements being on the other hand locked in their end positions.

In the bed-forming position a pair of oblique props 18 attached to the pair of legs 19 reinforce not only the bed seating but also the supporting action of legs 19, 20 and 62.

On the links 59 a chest 63 comprising essentially a panel having the dimension of the end element ofthe mattress frame is secured, a perpendicular end panel 64 joining the back 56 in the seat-forming position, whilst lateral panels 65 join the seat 43 in the seat-forming position; this panel setting may be constructed of any suitable material and in any desired shape provided that it conceals the link mechanism; slots 66 are provided on the sides of the rear panel 63 to permit the passage of the legs 62 therethrough.

Springs may be mounted in the various link systems for damping down the movements of the assembly; caster wheels 67 mounted on the fixed legs 20, rollers 69 and rubber pads 68 may be provided under the pairs of legs to facilitate the transport of the apparatus and its contact with the floor.

A fabric upholstery or the like may be superposed on the chest-like element 43 constituting the seat or the foot of the bed and attached to three sides of the element. This upholstery may be a chest-forming pleated skirt 42 secured as shown. The element 43 mounted on the arms 57 has suspended from its lower edge the aforesaid pleatf ed skirt 42; the skirt 42 is secured all along the line 48 of the element 43. Due to the approximately constant height H of the lower edge of the element 43 in view of the construction of the latter and its position relative to the pivot axes of the end longitudinal frame members on the side of the foot of the bed, the skirt 42 will be properly positioned in both positions of the apparatus, without touching the oor.

Of course, the shape of the head and foot portions of the bed which are to constitute the back and seat of the closed assembly, as well as the combinations of links, arms, etc. may vary according to the specific use and form of the apparatus to be constructed, without departing however from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claim.

What I claim is:

A metal apparatus adapted to be converted at will into a bed or a seat with a back, the whole mechanism thereof being concealed in the seat condition of the apparatus, which comprises a frame made of angle-irons, said frame consisting of three pairs of parallel longitudinal members pivoted on one another in succession and of transverse bracing elements at their ends to dene the width of said frame, a pair of fittings having the shape of inverted Ls which are pivotally connected to two of the end corners of said frame, an element constituting the back or the head of the bed, according to the position of the apparatus, which is secured on said fittings, other iittings which are secured to the opposite corners of the frame, a chest-like element constituting the seat or the foot of the bed, according to the position of the apparatus, which is secured on said other fittings, two pairs Y of parallel legs bearing on the floor and hingedly mounted respectively on the intermediate longitudinal members of the frame and on the end longitudinal members of the frame on the side of the back or the head of the bed, a pair of link assemblies hingedly interconnected to one another, also pivoted on said frame, on the elements forming the head of the bed, and on the two pairs of legs, in order to permit the synchronous unfolding and folding movements of the frame, props secured on said legs pivoted on the intermediate longitudinal members of the frame end extending obliquely towards the element constituting the foot of the bed, said props being arranged to be retracted under the seat in the closed position and to bear on the floor in the unfolded position, a third, collapsible pair of legs located underneath the frame members on the side of the head of the bed and another set of hingedly interconnected links also pivoted on said legs mounted on said end frame members, on said third pair of legs and on said end frame members, a chest secured on said other set of links so as to bear against said end frame members in the closed position of the apparatus and to be retracted beneath said end frame members in the unfolded position without interfering with the angular movement of the back and head of the bed relative to the frame of the bed, and a flexible upholstery secured along the lower edge of the seat-forming chestlike element to form an extension of said chest-like element at the foot of the bed.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 819,435 Jonas May l, 1906 1,885,160 Weinman Nov. 1, 1932 2,752,613 Castro et al. July 3, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 12,981 Great Britain Aug. 19, 1890 989,753 France May 30, 1951 1,034,600 France Apr. 15, 1953 

